Usage of Indigenous Languages as Risk Communication Interventions for Kidney Disease Awareness in Ado-Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
Author(s): | Grace I. Okpongkpong, Daniel Ekhareafo & Ezekiel S. Asemah |
Abstract: | Background: Kidney disease has become a major issue of public health concern globally with more prevalence in Africa and Nigeria. Available statistics indicate an annual increase of 15% of diagnosed cases in Nigeria, with Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun recording the highest number of cases, with ignorance ranking as one of the major causes of the illness. Among the challenges hindering the communication of the risk factors associated with kidney disease in the Ado-Ota community, which is a South-West region of Nigeria is Indigenous Language and professionals.
Objective: This study investigated the Usage of Yoruba, an indigenous language, as a risk communication intervention for kidney disease awareness in Ado-Ota, South-West Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional survey design was employed, utilising a structured questionnaire to collect data from residents in the Ado-Ota community. Results: Findings from the study revealed that Individuals with High Exposure to health information on kidney disease (M = 3.6917, SD = .64444) exhibited significantly higher knowledge levels than those with Low Exposure (M = 2.5593, SD = .80408), with a mean difference of -1.13244 (95% CI [-1.28458, -0.98029]). High Exposure refers to individuals who regularly receive and engage with health information, while Low Exposure refers to those who have limited access to such information. However, despite the high exposure to messages on kidney disease, Conclusion: There was a gap in the deployment of indigenous language as a risk communication tool for better health awareness. This low awareness gave room for misconception and misinformation as regards the potential risk of kidney disease. The research concludes that in order to create a sustainable cause of action that would facilitate residents’ knowledge and engagement in a healthy lifestyle towards the prevention of Kidney disease, strategic risk communication using Indigenous languages, which involves targeted and culturally sensitive messaging, is necessary. Unique Contribution: This work reveals vital insights into the lack of health awareness when communicating kidney disease information and the requirement to bridge this gap. Key Recommendation: Therefore, the study recommends including healthcare professionals and communication experts to collaborate and host interactive workshops and educational sessions on kidney disease prevention in South-West Nigeria using indigenous languages, thereby enhancing their ability to communicate health information to the community effectively. |
Keywords: | Indigenous language, risk communication, kidney disease, health communication, |
Issue | IJSSAR Volume 2, Issue 4, December 2024 |
Cite |
|
Copyright | Copyright © 2024 Grace I. Okpongkpong, Daniel Ekhareafo & Ezekiel S. Asemah ![]() This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. |
Journal Identifiers
eISSN: 3043-4459
pISSN: 3043-4467